Truckers are being offered a £2,000 signing on bonus to work from Inverness delivering supplies to Spar shops around the Highlands.
The cash incentive, from Dundee-based wholesaler CJ Lang, comes amid a UK-wide shortage of HGV drivers that is hitting transport of vital goods around the country.
It is on offer, along with £30,000 salary, to new hires who join the firm’s operations in the Highland capital before the end of this month.
The company said that that it was looking for both full and part-time multi-drop drivers operating from the city, due to an expansion in its logistics operation.
It has launched a social media campaign highlighting the “joining bonus” as part of the recruitment drive.
Family-run CJ Lang is the wholesaler for Spar Scotland and has a fleet of 55 trucks to deliver supplies to more than 300 convenience stores around the country.
An advertisement on its website for Class 1 qualified large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers in Inverness said: “We offer a range of benefits including a £2,000 (pro-rated for part-time) joining bonus, for joiners before the end of September 30th 2021 and OTE of £30,000 plus for full-time.”
The posts involve a 48-hour week for full-time drivers.
A shortage of qualified lorry drivers throughout the UK, along with a high number of supply chain workers self-isolating, has led to delays in deliveries of a wide range of goods.
It has resulted in gaps on shop shelves around the country, as well as temporary closures and missing menu items at restaurants.
And there have been predictions of supermarket shortages over Christmas, with the British Retail Consortium warning this week the festive period is going to be “incredibly challenging in some areas.”
UK needs at least 100,000 more HGV drivers
Trade body The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has said the issue is not a new problem, but a “Brexit exodus and the lockdown suspension of HGV driving testing has “turned it into a crisis” as demand for goods has increased.
The organisation has estimated there is an UK-wide shortage of more than 100,000 drivers.
Even before Covid there was a shortfall of 60,000.
Last month, the boss of haulage firm Northwards said a “limited pool” of drivers available near its depots in the Highlands and Islands was a particular challenge.
The Shetland-based company is offering relocation packages to truckers moving to the area from other parts of the country.
It has also raised its basic wages after finding it increasingly difficult to recruit staff to replace experienced drivers lost to rivals and other sectors.
CJ Lang was contacted for a comment on its recruitment efforts in Inverness.
